[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 156 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. J. RES. 156
Directing the President, pursuant to the War Powers Resolution, to
comply with the 60-day use of force and 30-day phased withdrawal
requirements regarding the use of the United States Armed Forces in
Operation Epic Fury in Iran.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 16, 2026
Mr. Fitzpatrick submitted the following joint resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
JOINT RESOLUTION
Directing the President, pursuant to the War Powers Resolution, to
comply with the 60-day use of force and 30-day phased withdrawal
requirements regarding the use of the United States Armed Forces in
Operation Epic Fury in Iran.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The Islamic Republic of Iran is the world's largest
state sponsor of terrorism and provides financial and material
support to foreign terrorist organizations, including Hamas,
Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
(2) The Islamic Republic of Iran poses a direct threat to
the United States and is responsible for the deaths of hundreds
of Americans.
(3) The Islamic Republic of Iran has suppressed their own
people, implementing total internet blackouts, extrajudicial
killings, forced disappearances, torture, sexual and gender-
based violence, detention and imprisonment, criminalization of
libel, and restrictions on religious freedom.
(4) The Islamic Republic of Iran has continued to amass a
stockpile of enriched uranium and have blocked access to their
nuclear sites, according to the Director General of the
International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi.
(5) On February 28, 2026, United States Central Command,
joint with Israel, commenced Operation Epic Fury at the
direction of the President of the United States, and included
the launching of airstrikes on Iran, targeting military and
governments sites, and the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali
Khamenei, as well as other Iranian Officials.
(6) Operation Epic Fury has since led to retaliatory
attacks by Iran and their proxies against Israel, and the
closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
(7) Since the start of Operation Epic Fury, 13 United
States service members have been killed, and 381 have been
wounded, according to United States Central Command.
(8) Under article I, section 8 of the Constitution,
Congress holds the sole power to declare war, and the 1973 War
Powers Resolution limits the President's ability to initiate
military action without authorization, requiring troop
withdrawal within 60 days unless Congress authorizes continued
engagement.
SEC. 2. TERMINATION OF THE USE OF MILITARY FORCE.
(a) Termination Required.--Consistent with requirements of section
5(b) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(b)), not later than
60 days (subject to subsection (b)) after the commencement of Operation
Epic Fury, the President shall terminate the use of military forces
regarding this operation in Iran and shall withdraw the Armed Forces
from Iran in accordance with section 2 not later than 30 days
thereafter.
(b) Tolling of Time Period.--Any day that is on or after the
commencement of Operation Epic Fury during which the United States
engages in cease-fire negotiations with the Government of Iran or has
entered into a negotiated cease-fire shall not count as one of the 60
days described in subsection (a).
SEC. 3. PHASED WITHDRAWAL.
Pursuant to section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C.
1544(b)) and unless otherwise explicitly authorized by a declaration of
war or a specific congressional authorization for use of military force
against Iran, Congress directs the President to begin the phased
removal of the Armed Forces from Iran, other than those elements of the
Armed Forces that may be necessary to defend the United States or an
ally or partner of the United States from imminent attack, or prevent
the procurement of a nuclear weapon, to the extent that the President
complies fully with the requirements of section 5(b) of the War Powers
Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(b)) with respect to any such use of the
Armed Forces.
SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION REGARDING INTELLIGENCE SHARING.
Nothing in this joint resolution may be construed to influence or
disrupt any intelligence, counterintelligence, or investigative
activities relating to threats in or emanating from Iran conducted by,
or in conjunction with, the United States Government involving--
(1) the collection of intelligence;
(2) the analysis of intelligence; or
(3) the sharing of intelligence between the United States
and any coalition partner if the President determines such
sharing is appropriate and in the national security interests
of the United States.
<all>